Relax, Renew, Restart: Melting Away the Winter Blues
A few weeks ago I talked about how to hit the reset button. Coming in to a new year can sometimes be stressful- new job goals to reach, paying off holiday bills, and some uncertainty of what the year will bring. Add on top of it freezing Northeast weather with snow, and emotions can start to dip fairly low. So how does a couple melt away from winter blues?
Explore the Possibilities
Find something new to get you both feeling excited again. Trapped indoors due to cold weather? Go on to Pinterest and try out one of those recipes you saved while on a pinning-frenzy. Or maybe now is the time get caught up on that hot show from 3 years ago everyone talked about (I swear, one day Mr E & I will finally binge watch Breaking Bad). Or maybe now is the time you check out that fitness center you’ve driven past twice a day, everyday, for the past year on your way to and from work. And remember, as great as it is to have similar interests, sometimes having unique interests can keep sanity in the home, especially when cooped indoors escaping the cold.
Catch up with Friends
For Mr E and myself, we tend to be shut-ins in the winter, but are barely home once warm weather rolls around. Which makes these cold days the perfect time to catch up with friends, gathering on the comfy couches drinking wine and chatting. Unfortunately, we have learned that as we get older, life’s responsibilities can get in the way. I know I for one am trying to make a better effort of relying less on digital methods of communication with friends, however it continues to be a work in progress. No matter how far out in advance you need to schedule it, put time on the calendar to get together with others.
Take a Vacation
While Mr E and I took this advice to heart and high-tailed it to Hawaii for two weeks, it definitely is a more extreme approach to escaping the winter blues. Knowing how miserable it can be January/February, we purposely booked an extended vacation during this time. Is it the best time of year for either of us to 
be away? Absolutely not. But we decided to take advantage of the fact we can travel during the “off-season,” because who knows when greater responsibilities will hold us back from doing so. And honestly, being out in the sun with no work responsibilities was exactly what both of us were in need of, especially since we left behind two feet of snow in Jersey. But a mental vacation is equally as rewarding. Try meditating together, book a couples massage at a local spa, or unplug all the devices and enjoy time away from obligations and temptations. Being present free from distractions is a pretty blissful place to be once you realize the world will still revolve if you don’t answer an email or text for a few hours.
What are your strategies for melting away the winter blues? Share your tips online, tag Nutrition Nuptials, and use #NutritionNuptials. I look forward to hearing your escape routes!